How to Become a California State Police Officer
If you want to become a police officer in the state of California, these are some of the basic guidelines for you to succeed.
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Things You'll Need
- Physical and mental fitness
- Clean criminal record
- Education at a police academy
Instructions
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Steps to Becoming a California Police Officer
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If you want to become a police officer in California, you will need to go through some basic steps and training to succeed. Besides the obvious need for physical and mental fitness, you must have a clean criminal record. Without one, you will be automatically rejected. A college education is also helpful, and you will also have to go to a police academy for training.
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Education is key to becoming a California police officer. Although you're not required to have a college degree, it can make a difference in both getting the job and having higher pay. Degrees that can be helpful to your career in police enforcement are criminal justice and law enforcement.
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California requires basic training from a police academy for you to become a police officer. Some departments will accept you if you have gone to a police academy in a different location, but many will require you to complete their own police academy's program.
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You need a clean criminal record. The state department of justice will run a background check on you, as will the Federal Bureau of Investigation. If you have any misdemeanor or felony on your record, you will be turned down immediately.
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Being both physically and mentally fit is a requirement for becoming a California police officer. A medical exam will determine your physical fitness. A series of mental exams will assess your psychological fitness. These exams are used to evaluate your traits and temperament as well as your capabilities to control yourself emotionally under extreme pressure. In some cases, a polygraph (lie detector) test might be administered. If you want to join the California Police Department, go to LAPD.org, LASD.org or OCSD.org to find out if they are currently looking to hire new police personnel and sheriffs.
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